March 30, 2008

NEWARK, NJ - On a cold and blustery day in downtown Newark, the La Salle men's tennis team came up just short in a 4-3 loss to the New Jersey Institute of Technology. The match was up and down for La Salle, who got off to an early lead after winning the doubles point.

The Highlanders came storming back in singles, earning wins at #1, #2 and #5 singles to take a 3-1 lead. La Salle's Chris Butera was able to win at #6, starting the comeback for La Salle. Jon Maula then put together some brilliant points to defeat Anthony Tunnero of NJIT 6-0, 6-1, to level the match at 3-3.

This put the match on the shoulders of senior Eric Glick. Glick stormed out to a quick 3-0 lead, but Highlander Cosmin Chiujdea soon found his touch. Chiujdea went on a tear, hitting blistering forehands to take the first set 6-4. In the second set, Glick fought hard but was unable to stop Chiujdea on this day, falling 6-4, 6-2, giving NJIT the victory

The Explorers return to action Monday with a home match against Temple.

Singles

Steve Erickson (NJIT) def. George Gennaoui (LSU) 6-3, 6-3

Jonathan Lang (NJIT) def. Andy Petrusky (LSU) 6-2, 6-1

Cosmin Chiujdea (NJIT) def. Eric Glick (LSU) 6-4, 6-2

Jon Maula (LSU) def. Anthony Tunnero (NJIT) 6-1, 6-0

Ramy Lawandy (NJIT) def. Matt Rivera (LSU) 6-1, 7-6 (8-6)

Chris Butera (LSU) def. Siddhardth Verma (NJIT) 6-3, 6-0

Doubles

Gennaoui/Maula (LSU) def. Tunnero/Chiujdea (NJIT) 8-4

Lang/Erickson (NJIT) def. Corey Hanson/ Petrusky (LSU) 8-1

Ryan Knarr/Chrisian Harvey (LSU) def. Kevin Irani/ Doug Zytko (NJIT) 8-1